XMFan Review: Audiovox Xpress R dual-screen / pause-replay

[Ryan]

Audiovox's new high-end Xpress, called the Xpress R, is impressive and unique



Audiovox has launched 2 new radios. In this review, I will be focusing on the high-end model radio, called the Xpress R. The large 6-line display screen puts this radio in the class with the Delphi SKYFi2 and it's sister radio, the standard Audiovox Xpress. Unlike it's standard sister model, this updated version features 30 minutes of pause and replay, along with a split-screen display, which is a first for any satellite radio receiver.

Split-Screen, Dual Display:

Let's start this review out with the most noticeable feature on this radio- the split screen. For the first time ever for any satellite radio receiver, you can scroll through the channel list to see what is playing on other channels without losing the display text of the currently playing channel. The left side of the screen (which has a white background and black text) is the channel you are currently listening to.

Within this left-hand screen, you will see the channel number, channel name, artist, title, and even sports scores and stock quotes if you have InfoExtras enabled. On the right-hand side of the radio with contrasting black background and white text, you can either scroll through the channel guide displaying the channel name, artist, or song title (similar to the SKYFi2 and Xpress, you hit the display button to toggle which is shown). Hit the select button by pressing in on the tuning knob and you will then select this second channel. The contrasting, right-hand side of your radio will now display what is playing on that channel, just as the left hand side is displaying what is playing on the channel you are listening to. Press the JUMP button on the radio, and the channels will instantly switch. You are now listening to the channel you were just watching, and your previous channel you were listening to is now displayed on the right side of your screen.

This is an amazingly handy feature for people who find themselves constantly jumping between their favorites channel. You can listen to Lucy while seeing what is being played on Squizz. Or, you can have a music channel on the right side of your radio, while you're listening to talk radio. Once a commercial comes on, hit the Jump button to play music from your favorite channel. When the talk channel screen shows they're back from commercial, hit the Jump button again to instantly go back.

While in dual-screen mode, you also have the ability to scroll by category. This will display channels on the right-hand side only from the Rock category, for example. You can enter Scan mode, which will play each channel in the category for a few seconds, before switching to the next channel. Hitting any button will stop the radio from scanning and stay on the current channel. You can also select the View All Channels option to resume scrolling through all channels on the XM dial.

Single Screen Capable, too:
If the split-screen feature doesn't interest you, it's completely optional. You can display the standard 5-line screen that the SKYFi2 and older Xpress use, or you can display a new large, easy-to-read, 3-line display (pictured below).

30-Minutes of Pause and Replay:
Just like the Delphi SKYFi2, this new Xpress R will allow you to pause live XM, and resume right where you left off. You can also "rewind" and listen to a song again-- as long as it was played within the past 30 minutes. The new progress bar on the bottom of the left-hand screen is an improvement on the SKYFi2's pause/replay features, and shows you exactly how much of the 30 minutes you have currently used up. The arrow pointing at the progress bar will show your current location in the 30 minute buffer. Track lines on the progress bar show the start and stop locations of each song you have listened to within the past 30 minutes, and where they are located within the radio's buffer.

Once you hit the rewind button, the right-hand side of your radio will display the name of all the songs saved within the 30 minutes of storage. Instead of having to keep pressing the Rewind button to find a song like with the SKYFi2, you can use the scroll knob to find the song in the playlist, select it, and instantly start playing that song.

Similar to the SKYFi2, once the power is turned off, all songs saved in the Xpress R's 30 minute buffer are lost.

Completely new User Interface:

The new Xpress R radio does not use the standard text-based menus like every other XM radio on the market. This new interface uses icons that are placed in a circle. Scrolling with the tuner knob moves between icons, which will change the description of the menu in the middle of the radio. Press select to enter the menu option.

Explicit Language Blocking:

Within the Xpress R's Channel Access menu, you'll find a new option called Explicit Language Channels. Within this menu, you can toggle the ability to list explicit language channels on your radio. When turned "OFF" (meaning turn off the channels), your radio will not display what is currently playing on any channel marked as "XL". This, however, does not lock out the channel. You can still tune an XL channel by manually punching in the channel number. This feature is good for those who may be offended by song titles displayed on XL channels, or just don't want to see them listed. This is not a suitable solution for parental control. If you want to completely lock out access to an XL channel, you must call XM Radio's customer service to have the channels locked out from your radio ID.

Packing and Installation Confusion:

Along with the new Xpress EZ, XM has decided not to package this Xpress R with a SureConnect adapter. The wireless FM modulators are a thing of the past, also. If you have read my review on the Xpress EZ receiver, you'll see how I am baffled on the fact that XM released a radio with no way to listen to it in your vehicle without purchasing optional accessories. This Xpress R radio is similarly packaged, however it does come with a cassette adapter. The Xpress EZ does not.

If you're like most people, you haven't had a cassette player in your vehicle since 1995. That still leaves you with a radio and vehicle kit that cannot be used in your car without the purchase of optional accessories.

Let me simplify this for anyone who plans to buy this radio and does not have a tape player in their car: You must either purchase an FM Direct Adapter, SureConnect Adapter, 3.5mm Patch Cable, or a PIE adapter (if one is available for your car) in order to listen to this radio. None of these are included in the package. You will not be able to use your new Xpress R radio in your vehicle without purchasing and installing one of these optional accessories.

Tuning Knob:

This new Xpress R features a tuning knob that not only twists (to turn channels), but it also pivots to the top, bottom, left, and right. It can also be pressed in to be used as a select button. Since it pivots, sometimes trying to press in the knob to select will end up selecting left or right instead. The new tuning knob will take a few minutes of use before you get the hang of it.


Remote Control:

The Xpress R includes a very nice remote control. The full-featured remote will operate any function on the Xpress. It's a very well-designed remote control in my opinion. The number buttons are made of rubber, and the directional buttons and select button are made of a hard plastic. This allows you to use the features of the radio from your remote control while keeping your eyes on the road.

Other Features:

Like it's low-end brother the Xpress EZ, this new Xpress R radio has FM presets. If you have an FM Direct or SureConnect adapter installed, you can save FM frequency stations as presets, just like you do with the XM channels. If you drive between cities often, this comes in very handy. In one part of town, 88.1FM may be the best frequency for reception. In another part of town, 107.9 may be the best option. The presets let you switch between frequencies with ease.

Backwards Compatibility:

The new Xpress EZ and Xpress R radios are fully compatible with your existing standard Xpress home kits, car kits, and Belkin boombox. There will not be special car kits or home kits for the EZ and R. The current Audiovox kit that is available is the same kit for all three Xpress radios.

Overall:

I am very impressed with the Xpress R receiver. The radio's dual-screen display is a must-have for a "channel flipper" like myself. The 30 minutes of pause/replay is probably the most popular feature of the Delphi SKYFi2. Taking that feature, plus adding the dual-screen display equals a perfectly designed radio. Again, I am disappointed by the lack of audio hookup options included in this package, but not enough to deter me from highly recommending this product. Had this product included the SureConnect adapter like the other radios on the market, it would have gotten a perfect 10 score.

Overall Rating: 9/10

IN STOCK AND NOW SHIPPING:
http://store.xmfanstore.com/audiovox-xpress-re-receiver-with-vehicle-kit.html

Additional Pictures below:


Press Release Photo:


Lucy and Squizz, side-by-side:


If side-by-side doesn't interest you, here's the large 3-line:


Listening to Lucy while seeing what else is on:


More Scrolling Options:


Coolguy is still on the air??


The pivoting tuning knob:


New User-Interface menu:




Explicit Language Block:




Replay Progress Bar. Black space shows amount of 30-minute buffer has been used. The radio was on for less than 30 minutes when this picture was taken, so the black bar does not extend all the way to the end. Lines on the bar show song stop/start locations. Right-side screen shows list of songs in buffer:


Xpress R radio and it's remote control, side-by-side:


Xpress R in it's retail package:


2-0-7 screens for the techies:

[jtdude0]

Figure out what rat sacs mean yet?

[Kas]

Its ghetto The whole basic interface/menu is boring. A guess graphics are a step in the right direction.

The 1-2mm thick resin over the black looks like an iPod.

[scottw60]

They need to make one that holds more than 1/2 hour with the pause faeture.

I guess the FCC has scared the &^%$& out of the XM manufactureers with regard to the FM modulators. The FCC is there to protect us, and they keep &^%&^%ing us over.

I will probably not buy this because of these facts. I am more than happy with the skyfi2.

I had a MyFi, and was disappointed that the 5 hour memory did not allow direct access with a pause/rewind feature. I don't get it, why limit the access?

[Wharfe]

Great review!
I'd get one if I didn't already have an inno.
And it's too bad about the SureConnect thing, seems like a bad move to not include that..

[Ryan]

good news, guys. We have received shipment of the new Xpress radios and we have the new Xpress R in stock and shipping today!!

[johnnyfever78]

[jcrean]

Can you rewind live broadcasts like the Sirius radios? Can you rewind within segments live and not just jump to the beginning of segments?

[Ryan]

[Walt1028]

I want one!

[Ryan]

[hulkamaniac]

Hey! I resent the no cassette players in cars since '95 crack. I've got an '03 with a cassette player in it.

Still, the radio looks awesome. I love the side by side thing.

[tdevine]

Nice looking unit, but I'll wait for the color screen version. That's the next thing the pnp radios need.

[Ryan]

[johnnyfever78]